There’s an attainable way to make meal prepping feel less like a chore, even if you happen to have the responsibility of feeding a whole family for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Taking the time to establish a meal prepping technique that works for you — and finding the right food storage containers for what you prepare — can be stress-relieving. It may also be the best way to keep that Whole30 promise you made to yourself (unless you have the resources to spring for a meal kit delivery service).
What you really need is motivation — and you may find it motivating to stock up on the best meal prep containers and the best food storage containers, which actually make the whole meal planning and meal prepping thing kind of fun, or, at the very least, easy. There are so many food storage container options out there: plastic containers that are microwave- and freezer-safe, glass or metal containers, leakproof easy-to-clean portion control meal containers and containers with vented lids. And if you’re feeling particularly fancy you could go for a bento box or Mason jar. Seriously, selecting the best meal prep containers for the storage of your food is a process.
This is why we’ve rounded up some of the best food prep containers that are simultaneously good-looking and functional, have leak-proof lids and will put you in the meal prepping spirit where you vow you’ll never spend $16 on an overpriced salad (or any other food) again. So prep some overnight oats, shake up some salad dressing, pull out your meal prep recipe and get ready to have a favorite meal prep container for your leftover dinner or prepped meals.
Bayco glass storage containers with lids
Amazon
This durable 18-piece set of food prep containers is a dream for portioning out healthy meals. Use these for soups, snacks, veggies, stews and brown-rice bowls, and then toss them in your work bag or pop them in the microwave — the snap lids on these glass meal prep containers are completely leakproof and spill-proof. (Hot tip: Use the tiniest one for storing condiments and dressings.)
Reusable storage bags (set of 3)
Sur la Table
May you never buy another plastic bag again with these clever food storage containers. These reusable silicone wunderkinds, perfect for meal prepping, come in a variety of sizes (there are three in this set). Use one food container for your sando and the baby ones for cut carrots, nuts and berries or chocolate.
Ball Mason jars (set of 2)
Amazon
We know you’ve maybe heard of this one before, but still, there’s nothing more satisfying than constructing a gorgeous Mason jar salad, which is pretty much the perfect way for a meal prepper to beat the “sad desk salad” blues. These durable, freezer-safe meal prep jars are also great for storing liquids like salad dressing and protein shakes.
Collapsible silicone food storage containers (set of 4)
Amazon
Perfect for portion control, these colorful reusable food storage containers will help you spot your lunch in a crowded fridge. The locking plastic lids will minimize leaks and spills with their airtight seal — and they collapse after use, which means more cupboard storage space for you!
Oxo leakproof salad container
Amazon
This genius three-layer food prep salad container separates your proteins and toppings from your veggies and greens, and a mini container with a twist-off top keeps your dressing in check.
Prepd bamboo lunch pack
Amazon
A favorite product of Oprah’s, this genius pack has a sleek bamboo cover and a Tetris-like modular design with durable containers that are completely spill-proof. (You can buy different sizes to mix and match to help with portion control.) It’s microwave-safe, freezer-safe and dishwasher-safe. Plus, it comes with magnetic cutlery, which decreases your chances of accidentally tossing a fork in the trash.
Takenaka bento box
Amazon
Prove that you’re a millennial who can actually cook (or at least one who remembers to use those leftovers from last night) with this double-decker bento lunch box that can be converted into a single-tier box, too, depending on your bento lunch haul.
Unichart stainless-steel lunch box
Amazon
This adorable triple-decker box isn’t just a looker — the insulated top layer of the compartments will keep your food warm for 2 to 3 hours.
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This story was written by July Vadnal for Chowhound.